EP3212145A1

EP3212145A1 - Side-rail arrangement for a hospital and/or care bed

Info

Publication number: EP3212145A1
Application number: EP15763920.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Bansmann; Jurij Mylnikow; Olaf Steuernagel
Original assignee: Stiegelmeyer GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Stiegelmeyer GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2014-10-27
Filing date: 2015-09-16
Publication date: 2017-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-16
Also published as: AU2015341056B2; CA2965721A1; EP3212145B1; PL3212145T3; CA2965721C; DE102014115552B4; DE102014115552A1; AU2015341056A1; WO2016066318A1

Abstract

A hospital and/or care bed (1) comprising a side-rail arrangement which has at least two posts (30, 70), each mounted to be pivotable relative to the frame of the bed via a lower rotational point (32, 72), said posts are pivotable between at least one upright position, with which the side rails are in a use position, and a non-use position, with which, in particular, the posts (30, 70) are aligned substantially along the longitudinal direction of the bed. The side-rail arrangement has at least one bar (40) which is mounted to be pivotable relative to the posts (30, 70) via upper post rotational points (44, 45), wherein a locking (47) or clamping is provided for the side-rail arrangement in the use position. When the side-rail arrangement is in the use position, a spring element (39) exerts a force on the side-rail arrangement, said force holds the side-rail arrangement in the use position and the amount of said force corresponds to a force of at least 25 N acting on the free end of one of the posts in the longitudinal direction of the bar.

Description

Side rails for a hospital and / or nursing bed

The invention relates to a hospital and / or nursing bed with a side rail and a side rail for attachment to a corresponding bed.

Side rails on beds are well known. The function of a side rail is to protect a person in bed from, for example, when rolling out of bed to roll, thereby falling to the floor and injured so. Depending on the specific conditions of use, it may be required that the side rails cover the entire longitudinal side of the bed or only partial areas. A side rail may be provided on both longitudinal sides of the bed, wherein in the following only a side rail is considered, which is arranged on a bed longitudinal side. On the other long side, a structurally identical or another or no side rails can be provided.

For side rails different requirements are required. First, the side rails should be as simple as possible from the open position in which the bed longitudinal side is released, can be changed to the use or closed position. Next, the side rails in the open position should not be perceived disturbing and best completely invisible. In addition, the side rails should be easy and inexpensive to produce with a sufficiently high stability. In particular, that should

Be set up side rails, initially in an upright position to be brought and also it should be possible, at the discretion of the user or the caregiver to release the respective longitudinal side of the bed partially or largely close.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new side rail, which solves the above requirements improved. This object is achieved with the bed and the side rails according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

A hospital and / or nursing bed comprises a side rail, which has at least two each pivotally mounted via a lower pivot point relative to the frame of the bed post between at least one upright position in which the

Side rail in the use position, and a release position, in particular, the posts are aligned substantially along the bed longitudinal direction, pivotally are. Further, the side rail has at least one spar which is pivotally mounted via upper post pivots relative to the posts, in particular a locking or clamping is provided for the side rails in the position of use. The locking or clamping comprises, in particular, an attachment via positive locking and / or force-locking. It exercises in the hospital and / or nursing bed in the

State that the side rail is in its use position, a spring element corresponds to a force supporting the side rail in the position of use on the side rail, the amount of which corresponds to a force acting at the free end of one of the post in the longitudinal direction of the force of at least 15 N. In alternative embodiments, this force may be between 25 and 80 N, preferably between 35 and 65 N. This force is preferably measured horizontally. The opening angle of the side rail is preferably 90 °, so the posts are vertical. So will a sufficiently high force on the side rails in his

In use position exerted that the side rails are not inadvertently in the

Can swing in non-use position. It has been recognized that the forces exerted by a person on the side rail when supporting are substantially vertical. Thus, a maximum vertical force between 400 and 600 N can be. The support force may typically have a horizontal component of up to about 10 to 20 N. Thus, a relatively small force of at least 15 N is sufficient to ensure that, in the event the latch of the side rail is inadvertently opened, buckling of the side rail from the use position is avoided. In this consideration, it was also calculated that the side rails starting from its position of use initially with his

It raises the center of gravity a bit before moving it downwards in the further movement

Non-use position pans.

There may be a lever arm as the perpendicular distance from a pivot point of the bearing of a post relative to the bed frame with respect to the result of the connection of two bearing points of the spring element spring action line. The lever arm is in the position of use of the side rail in the range of 80% to 100% of the distance of the pivot point of the post and the coupled to the post storage point. By definition, the value of 100% is the maximum value. Said percentage range describes that the spring element has a relatively long lever arm for causing a large torque on the side rail in the position of use.

Said lever arm may preferably be in the state of non-use position of the side rail in amount ranging from 0% to 20% of the distance of the pivot point of the post and the bearing point coupled to the post. This means that the influence of the spring element on the side rails is reduced in this position. This outweighs the gravity exerted on the side rail and the side rail can stably rest in the non-use position.

Also, the spring element may be pivotally mounted with a first end relative to the frame of the bed and be pivotally mounted with a second end to one of the posts. This results in an angle between the first end, the second end and one of the pivot points of the posts relative to the frame of the bed and this angle is in the non-use position in the angular range of -15 ° before to + 10 ° after a turning point of the maximum compression of the spring element. From this formulation also results that the spring element exerts only low torques on the side rail in the non-use position.

Side rails in the position of use, and a non-use position, in particular, the posts are aligned substantially along the bed longitudinal direction, are pivotable. A spar is pivotally mounted about pivot points of the posts relative to the posts. In this case, the side rail comprises an extension element, for extending the side rail in the bed longitudinal direction, wherein the extension element in an intermediate position, which results between a non-extension position and a side rail extending extension position held exclusively on a comprehensive the post and the spar body of the side rail and / or worn. The extension element is in a movement in the side rail extending extension position in engagement with a bearing for supporting the

Extension element can be brought. The bearing serves to receive weight forces which can be brought onto the free end of the extension element. The term bed frame means, in particular, the upper bed frame which serves as a support for the mattress or mattress-supporting parts. In this way, an extension element can be produced, which on the one hand causes a considerable increase in the span of the side rail and on others has sufficient stability that a person can rest on the end of the extension element and / or a person falling out of bed sufficient protection offers.

In particular, there is a distance of at least 30 cm between the extension element in its extension position and the adjacent main part of the bed. The respectively adjacent main designates in particular the head or the foot-end main of Betts. At a distance of, for example, 60 cm, a person can comfortably leave the bed, even if the side rail is in the protective position. This avoids the impression of being locked up.

Also, a releasable clamping can be provided between the extension element and the main body of the side rail. This avoids that the side rails move unintentionally in the extended state. Already if that

Extension element pulled out by a small amount, it could at

Swinging in the side grille would otherwise lead to tension or blockage.

Preferably, the maximum extension length of the extension element is more than 60% of the distance from the pivotally mounted posts of the side rail. So can be achieved with only one side rails extensive coverage of the bed longitudinal side. In addition, there is a cost advantage in the production costs. Conventionally known side rails, which have allowed partial cover of the bed side, were often constructed so that two independent side rails were used with two posts. This resulted in a total of four posts. In the described embodiment, only three posts, namely the outer post, the center post and the extension post are necessary. In addition, the side rail extension can be extended in different lengths, so that the user the extension function according to his

Can set interests. The individual parts are mechanically less expensive and thus inexpensive to produce.

Also, by a combination of at least forces of a spring element and gravity acting on the side rail, a force resultant can act on the side rail so that from a measured between one of the posts and the bed frame opening angle which is greater than 40 °, the side rails in the direction of the

Use position is pressed. This angle is considered in a horizontal orientation of the bed frame. It can also act forces from a damping element, or it can be used several spring elements. The force resultant is defined as the force acting on the side rail relative to the bed frame during a pivotal movement about the bearing points of the side rail. The force resultant can be measured, for example, with a load cell on the upper longitudinal strut or or a longitudinal strut cover. In this sense, the force resultant acts perpendicular to the post, wherein the post length of the lever arm of the Seitengitterschwenkbewegung is. Preferably, the side rails in the pivoting range between the position of use and the non-use position on a dead center, in which the forces acting on the side rails are in balance. The angular position of the side grid is at a

Opening angle of less than 50 °. In a normal pivoting movement, the side rails will never remain in the dead center, since due to the kinetic energy of the dead center

is overcome. However, if a user consciously aligns the side rail in this unstable position, then no forces will build up due to the relatively small opening angle within the side rail when a user on the

Side rail supports. Instead, the side rail is immediately in the

Panning non-use position. In particular, the side rails in the pivoting range between the position of use and the non-use position on a dead center, in which the force acting on the side rails forces are in balance and thereby the angular position of the side rail at an opening angle range (a) of 30 ° +/- 10 °.

Further, in particular, an extension element against a the post and at least one spar comprehensive side rail base body is displaceable and serves the

Extension of the side rail in bed longitudinal direction. The extension element is held in a position not extending the side rail by a releasable holding device relative to the side rail base body.

Also, the locking or clamping an actuator for unlocking or

Entklemmung the side rail comprise, wherein in the state that the side rail is in its position of use, the actuating direction of the actuator with the direction of movement of the opening of the side rail largely matches. Such a match is ergonomically advantageous because the user first operates the actuator with a movement in a single direction and subsequently from the

Use position, the side rails can fold in the same direction starting. However, this ergonomic design is not used in beds of the prior art, since it could pose a risk in principle. Namely, if a user supports himself on the side rail to also include the actuator, some of his support forces may be diverted to the actuator, causing the actuator to disengage, and due to said ergonomic directionality, would cause the side rail to collapse the user can no longer support himself. Therefore, usually for releasing the latch another direction (e.g.

vertical or opposite) provided as the Einklapprichtung the side rail. In the present invention, however, preferably a force pushes the side rails constantly in the upright position, so the use position. Thus, the side rails spring-supported in the raised position. The support forces of the user are preferably vertical forces, which may possibly also have a lateral (ie horizontal) force component. This lateral force component is usually relatively small, so that it is sufficient to press the side rails with the above-mentioned force of at least 15 N in the erected position.

In an alternative embodiment, no locking or clamping of parts of the side rail to each other and / or to the frame of the bed is provided. In this case, the side rail can be held solely by the above-mentioned force of 15 N in its Aufgericheten position. Alternatively, in this embodiment, preferably a greater force of at least 30 N be provided in order to accommodate larger lateral forces without collapsing the side rail can.

In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to figures. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a bed in a perspective view with a side rail in his

Non-use position,

A view of the bed in the height of the bed frame with a side rail in the

Non-use position,

Fig. 3, the side rails in an intermediate position between the non-use and

Use position in a viewing direction from the inside of the bed,

Fig. 4, the side rails in its position of use with a partially extended

Extension element in a view from the bed exterior,

Fig. 5, the side rails in its position of use with a fully extended

Extension in a view from the bed interior,

6 is a partial side view of the side rail in the position of use with a

slight extension of the extension element,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the side rail with the extension element in the fully extended position and

Fig. 8 is a partial view of the extension element shortly before reaching the

solid state,

9 is a diagram of the forces acting on the side rails,

10 is a view of the spring element in the side rail in the position of use, and FIG. 1 is a view of the side rail in the non-use position. Fig. 1 shows a hospital and / or nursing bed comprising four feet 12 fixed to a lower frame (not shown). The lower frame is a support for the upper frame. This can be raised and lowered via not shown drives and aligned in the angular position. The upper frame serves as a support for the head-side main 5 and the foot-side main 6 and also for the lower leg rest 7, the thigh rest 8 and the backrest 9. On the latter is the mattress (not shown) and these backrests are not shown in drives Adjustable to your position. On the left

Longitudinal side (shown in Fig. 1 at the front) parts of a side rail are visible, namely an outer post cover 33 of an outer post 30 and a longitudinal strut cover 43 of an upper longitudinal strut 40. The side rail is preferably attached to the upper frame of the bed. In alternative embodiments, it may also be attached to the lower frame. The side rail is not visible in Fig. 1, since it is in its non-use position and is covered by a diaphragm 22. In the non-use position, the upper edge is a few centimeters, such. maximum 5 cm, above the backs 7, 8 and 9 in their lowered positions. If the mattress is placed on these backrests, the upper edge of the covers 43 and 33 is located a few centimeters below the top edge of the mattress. Thus a person can sit comfortably on the side of the bed, e.g. when leaving the bed and lying down and even then comes with the thighs in a disturbing contact with the covers when the mattress presses through the weight of the person.

As shown in FIG. 3, the side rail comprises a side rail main body which comprises the center post 70, the upper longitudinal strut 40 and the outer post 30, these parts being connected to one another in the form of a parallelogram drive. In this case, the center post 70 is rotatably mounted in a pivot point 72 on a center post support 71. The center post support 71 is fixed with screws either on the frame of the bed or on the panel 22. At the upper end of the center post 70 is a pivot bearing point 45, via which the upper longitudinal strut 40 is mounted against the center post 70. Further, the outer post 30 is supported via a pivot 32 either on the panel 22 or on the bed frame. And the outer post 30 is connected via a bearing point 44 with the upper longitudinal strut 40. Because of this storage, the upper longitudinal strut 40 via a lateral displacement, ie without a rotary or

Pivoting movement from the rest position of the non-use position in the

Use position to be postponed. Figures 4 and 5 show the side rail in its position of use, which is also referred to as the raised position. In the use position, the bed side is at least partially covered by the side rails, so that a person is protected from falling out of bed. Here, the head end protection is more important because it

is more dangerous if a person with the head-torso falls first than the other way round. The post 70 is referred to as a center post. Preferably, however, it is not aligned in the middle of the bed longitudinal side, but can, for example, in the ratio 60:40 closer to the head of the bed. Since a person in bed is usually with the buttocks in the middle of the bed (in the longitudinal direction) and when getting around the buttocks than

Fulcrum turns, would be an exactly centered center post 70 when leaving rather cumbersome.

Below the upper longitudinal strut 40 further struts are arranged, namely the

Longitudinal struts 50 and 60 and the extension struts 150 and 160. In Fig. 3, only these extension struts 150 and 160 are visible. These can be telescoped to the longitudinal struts 50 and 60 (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the longitudinal struts 50 and 60 are located within the extension struts 150 and 160. At pivot points 54 and 64, the longitudinal struts 50, 60 are rotatably supported on the outer post 30. When the side rail is in an extended position (to be explained later), it is not pivotable to the non-use position because the extension bars 150 and 160 are in tight sliding guides which prevent the pivotal movement. In order nevertheless to be able to pivot the side rail into the inoperative position, pivot points 155 and 165 (FIG. 4) are provided in the connection of the extension struts 150 and 160 to the extension post 170. These fulcrums are disposed on extensions 158 and 168 of the extension post in the direction of the bed head respectively at the vertical height of the longitudinal struts 50 and 60 and are of sufficient length to engage the mullion 70 upon engagement of the extension post 170. The bearing points 155 and 165 are located within the coupling gear described by the parallelogram. This makes it possible that in the pivoting of the side rail, the parallelogram described above and also the packages from the extension strut 150 with the longitudinal strut 50 and the extension strut 160 with the longitudinal strut 60 in pairs about the bearing points 54 and 155, and 64 and 165 rotate can. Here, the individual longitudinal struts 40, 50 and 60 move over one

Parallel offset movement from the use to the non-use position.

An actuator 57 can be used to release a catch between the extension post 170 and the center post 70, as can be seen in FIG. The actuator 57 includes a finger portion and a latch portion 57a. The latching portion 57 a is located at the retracted position of the extension member within the hollow profile of the center post s 70 and (not shown) by a spring force down pressed so that its in Fig. 6 right flank behind that provided for the extension strut 150 Breakthrough attacks and thus prevents the extension element can be pulled out in the bed longitudinal direction. The user can grasp the finger area between the center post 70 and the extension post 170 (see Fig. 3) with a finger and lift the actuator 57 so as to release the catch. If that

Side rail is in the use position, the extension element can be pulled out afterwards. The actuator 57 is preferably at the height level of the bed frame 3 or higher. Alternatively, the actuator may be at the level of the top of the mattress or higher. In these ways, it is ensured that the user can easily grasp the actuator 57. Preferably, the latching portion 57a of the actuator 57 is a mechanical component which engages two mutually pivotable parts of the side rail and prevents pivoting of these parts to each other in the latching position. These pivotable parts include in particular the posts 30, 70 and the longitudinal struts 40, 50 and 60.

The extension position is shown in FIGS. 5 or 7. The extension member 170 includes the extension post and three struts 140, 150 and 160. In the

Extension position is the extension post 170, which was in the states of FIG. 1 and Fig. 2 with a distance of about 2 cm directly adjacent the center post 70, moved by the latter by a sliding movement in the direction of the foot end 6 of the bed. At the upper end of the extension post 170 is the upper one

Extension strut 140 pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing 145. The

Extension strut is completely received in the erected position in a cavity of the upper longitudinal strut 40 and axially displaceable there. In order for the side rail to be erectable, the pivot bearing 145 in the non-extension position is coaxial with the already described bearing 45 of the center post 40 to the upper longitudinal strut 40, as is apparent from Fig. 5. The upper longitudinal strut 40 comprises a U-profile (not shown), wherein the flanks of the U-profile serve as bearing points of the pivot bearing 45. Between the flanks of the U-profile, the extension strut 140 is mounted.

When the extension member 170, 140, 150, 160 is inserted into the main body of the side rail or is in intermediate positions, the extension member becomes

170,140,150,160 on the leadership breakthroughs of the center post 70 and the

Linear guides guided relative to the struts 50 and 60. The free end of the Extension element is then in no contact with another part of the bed or the side rail. When the extension element is pulled further from an intermediate position, the extension post 170, as can be seen in the comparison of FIGS. 7 and 8, comes into contact with a sliding surface 90. The sliding surface 90 is a part of a carrier which is connected to a Retaining bar 95 is attached to the frame of the bed. The

Sliding surface 90 comes into contact with an underside of extension post 170. The sliding surface 90 includes a contact surface rising in the extension movement direction of the extension member. As a result, the extension post 170 is raised by a certain amount to compensate for a lowering, which results from play or tolerances within the storage of the extension element. This amount is in particular less than 20 mm. Continuing the pull-out movement, a lower portion of the extension post 170 comes into contact with a catch guide 92.

This comprises on both sides in the transverse direction of the bed contact surfaces, the

Align extension post 170 in the transverse direction of the bed. At the end of the slot-shaped catch guide 92 projects a retaining pin 94 in the catch guide. The extension post 170 includes a mating aperture 172 in which the retention pin 94 is received. In this way, the extension post 170 and thus the whole

Extension element in the positive and negative vertical direction, guided in positive and negative transverse direction of the bed and in the extension direction. The user can thus rest on the extension post 170 and / or the upper strut 140 of the extension member without absorbing excessive forces or torques from the main body of the side grille. Instead, such forces are dissipated via the retaining bar 95 into the frame of the bed. Because of this construction, it is possible to

Extension element with a much higher extension length to construct, as would be possible with a holder only on the main body of the side rail.

The middle ear 70 comprises at its upper end an angled portion which points in the direction of the side rail and from there leads a second bend, which leads into the bearing point 45 to the upper longitudinal strut 40. In this way, a free end of the upper

Extension strut 140 below which is an area that is large enough that a user can access the extension strut 140 over this. This free area is referred to as a handle 49, as the user can lift the side rails over here and pivot into the position of use.

From the described structure, there are some advantages. First, the operation is very simple. In many applications, a side rail is needed that covers only part of the bed, preferably the upper half, as this already in many cases Risk of falling of a person out of bed can be sufficiently reduced. And this Aufrichtbewegung is possible with the handle 49. If the side rails in the open position, so the non-use position, is the user (or the caregiver) namely only the handle 49 pivotally fold up in the use position and the latching function described holds the side rails in the position of use. Conventionally known side rails were usually several handles needed.

Also, the constructive concept described allows the side rail to have a pleasing appearance, especially when in the non-use position and in the use position, which are the two most common states. According to FIG. 1, in the non-use position, especially the outer post cover 33 and the longitudinal strut cover 43 are visible. These covers can be provided with a padding or with an attractive surface, such as a wooden structure. The longitudinal strut cover 43 also remains in the position of use at the top of the side rail.

If the side rail is in its position of use and the extension element is inserted, then an activatable via an actuator 47 locking ensures that the side rails can not be pivoted into the non-use position. As shown in Fig. 6, the actuator 47 is a slider or a latch, which is activated in the bed longitudinal direction. It is mounted in a cavity of the extension post 170. The actuator 47 is urged by a spring against a portion of the center post 70 and includes a protruding pin 48 which may be received in a receptacle of the center post 70. With such a latched bolt 48, the pivotal movement of the center post relative to the upper longitudinal strut is blocked, and thus the side rail can not be pivoted to the inoperative position.

In Fig. 3, the opening angle α is located, which is 0 ° in the non-use position and 90 ° in the use position. By arranged between the frame of the bed or the panel 22 and the outer post 30 spring element 39, the side rails is pressed into the position of use. When the forces acting on the side rail are measured at a point P located on the longitudinal beam cover 43, the graph shown in Fig. 9 is shown, showing the forces F _h in the horizontal direction r and F _v in the vertical direction , At the angular position of 90 °, the side rail is pulled with the force F _h of 50 N in the position of use. This force is governed by the spring element 39 and to a small extent by the weight forces of the side rail causes. With a smaller opening angle, the forces caused by the spring element 39 increase. However, with decreasing opening angles α, weight forces on the side rails increase. This results in a dead center at about 30 °, in which the forces acting on the side rails are in equilibrium. The dead-center angle range is in particular between 20 and 45 °. As the opening angles decrease, the proportion of weight forces acting on the side rails increases. For metrological reasons, the force F _{v is} measured in the vertical direction at these angles. This increases up to the opening angle α of 0 ° to about 30 N. That is, the side rails must be lifted by the user with a force of 30N from the non-use position when he wants to bring it into the position of use.

The spring element 39 is preferably designed as a gas spring. In its extended state, that is in the state of use position of the side rail, the force is about 450N and increases when retracting up to about 1000N. The removal of the force F _v in the non-use position is achieved in the form of a mechanical translation that lie in the non-use position, the two end points of the spring element 39 with the bearing point 32 of the outer post 30 largely in line.

The dead center is deliberately chosen at about 30 °. If, as in embodiments known from the prior art, the dead center were at 60 ° to 80 °, the following risk could arise: A person could in fact rely on the side rail at a dead center position. Since at these angular positions the force resultant is relatively close to the pivot point of the side rail, the side rails can absorb a significant force. If, after a certain force, the side rail buckles by pivoting in the non-use direction, the counterforce decreases spontaneously significantly. This loss of resistance comes as a surprise to the user, so that he could thereby fall and hurt himself. With the dead center at about 30 °, it is easy for the user to see that the side rail is in an unstable position. At these opening angles, no counterforce builds up from the supporting load of the person, since the side rail would pivot in directly. Thus, it does not come to the power structure described above, which subsequently decreases again. The user would immediately notice that the side rails in this angular position can not provide any support and do not even try to lean on the side rails. As already mentioned above, the bed frame or the upper bed frame can be pivoted in such a way that the head part is raised. This pivoting angle of 14 ° to 18 ° are common. The selected dead center 30 ° allows that at any pivoting angles of the bed frame, the side rails on the one hand safely pivots in the non-use position and on the other then no hazardous situation arises when a user relies on a dead-center side rail. In addition, the angular range of the dead center is sufficiently small that it practically does not occur when using the side rail that the side rails remain in dead center angle range.

As explained above, it is possible via the actuator 47 to release the detent of the side rail in the position of use. The release direction r is in the longitudinal direction of the upper strut 40, ie in the direction of the foot end of the bed. This direction corresponds to the pivoting direction of the side rail at the beginning of the pivoting movement from the use in the non-use position. In conventionally known side rails which comprise a lock, it is always the case that the direction of actuation of the unlocking differs from the movement of the side rail thereby released. This is conventionally considered important, as it can thus be avoided that a person in one direction on the side rail (and in particular the actuator) holds tight and the impacted by holding on the actuator forces open the side rails. This could cause unintentional opening. In this sense, the opening side rail would not provide a hold for a person holding on to it. Due to the force F _h described above, which holds the side rail in the position of use at 50 N, it has been achieved that such an unintentional opening can not occur. It has been recognized that forces of this magnitude are not unintentionally effected by a user. So contrary to the conventional understanding, the release direction of the lock could be aligned identically to the Einschwenkbewegung the side rail. Since this direction identity corresponds to the usual understanding of the user, so the intuitive and ergonomic operation of the side rail could be increased.

The terms "horizontal" and "vertical" used above refer to a bed in which the bed frame is oriented horizontally. When the bed frame is tilted into another angular position, the described relationships apply correspondingly.

Fig. 10 shows a view A of Fig. 1, but with the aperture 22 is removed and the side rails is in the position of use. The frame 3 of the bed 1 serves as a bearing for the outer post 30 in the bearing point 32. Also, a bearing 39a for the gas spring 39 is disposed on the frame 3 of the bed. The gas spring 39, which is also referred to as a spring element, comprises a displaceable against a base piston. The travel includes a travel of 50 mm, with the spring travel at preferred embodiments can be between 30 and 90 mm. Preferably, the angle γ between the bearing point 39b, the bearing point 39a and the bearing point 32 is dependent on the position of the side lattice in the angular range of -5 ° to 25 °. At the beginning of the travel, ie at the beginning of the compression of the spring element, the force is 450 N, (preferably between 300 and 700 N) and increases to about 800 N at the end of the travel. In addition, a damping is installed in the gas spring, so that the side rails is pressed at a limited speed due to the gas spring in the direction of the use position. According to FIG. 10, the bearing point 39b lies largely vertically above the bearing point 32 and the bearing points 39a and 32 lie horizontally at the same height. Thus, a long lever arm h results from the application of force from the spring element to the side rail.

In Fig. 1 1, the non-use position is shown. On the one hand exerts the gas spring 39 on the one hand, the maximum spring force, since it has moved together a maximum. On the other hand, the bearing points 39a, 39b and 32 are largely in line. That during a pivoting movement of the side rail near this position by a certain angular range, the gas spring 39 is significantly less compressed than is given in the vicinity of the position of use. In other words, the lever arm h (see FIG. 10) is relevant to the application of force from the spring element to the outer post 30. It is the perpendicular distance from the bearing point 32 to the line resulting from the connection of the bearing points 39a and 39b of the spring element 39. This lever arm is in the non-use position close to zero and has its maximum value in the position of use. Preferred are embodiments in which these ratios are maintained in the range of +/- 20%.

The spring element 39 may alternatively be arranged on the outer post 30 on another post, in particular the center post 70. Also, a plurality of spring elements may be used. Instead of the described compression spring, a tension spring can be used.

Reference numerals:

1 bed

3 bed frames

22 aperture

30 outer posts

32 pivot point Exterior post cover stop

Spring element gas spring, 39b bearing points upper longitudinal strut

Longitudinal strut cover actuator

bolt

handle

, 60 struts

Handle (57a = catch area) Post (center post) Mullion bearing

Fulcrum of the center post sliding surface

Fang leadership

retaining bolt

holding web

0 extension post2 breakthrough

Claims

Claims:

1 . Hospital and / or nursing bed (1) with a side rail, which at least two in each case via a lower pivot point (32, 72) relative to a frame of the bed pivotally mounted post (30, 70), between at least one erected position, at which is the side rails in a position of use, and a non-use position, in particular the posts (30, 70) in

Aligned substantially along the bed longitudinal direction, are pivotable; and the side rail has at least one spar (40) over the top

Post pivot points (44, 45) relative to the posts (30, 70) is pivotally mounted, characterized in that

in the state when the side rail is in its position of use, a spring element (39) exerts a force holding the side rail in the position of use on the side rail whose amount corresponds to a force acting on the free end of one of the post in the longitudinal direction of the force of at least 15 N.

2. hospital and / or nursing bed (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a lever arm (h) as the vertical distance from a pivot point (32) of the bearing of a post (30, 70) relative to the bed frame in relation on the results of the connection of two bearing points (39a, 39b) of the spring element (39) resulting spring line and

the length of the lever arm (h) in the position of use of the side rail is in the range of 80% to 100% of the distance of the pivot point (32) of the post (30) and the bearing point (39b) coupled to the post (30).

3. hospital and / or nursing bed (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized

characterized in that a lever arm (h) as the perpendicular distance from a pivot point (32) of the bearing of a post (30, 70) relative to the bed frame with respect to by the connection of two bearing points (39a, 39b) of

Spring element (39) results in resulting spring line and

the length of the lever arm (h) in the non - use position of

Sidelights amounting to 0% to 20% of the distance of the

Fulcrum (32) of the post (30) and the post (30) coupled

Storage point (39b) is located.

4. hospital and / or nursing bed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring element (39) with a first end (39 a) pivotally relative to the frame the bed is mounted and with a second end (39 b) pivotally mounted to one of the posts (30, 70) and so is an angle (γ) between the first end (39 a), the second end (39 b) and one of the pivot points (32,72) gives the post (30,70) relative to the frame of the bed and this angle (γ) in the

Non-use position in the angle range from -15 ° before to +10 ° after one

Turning point of the maximum compression of the spring element (39) is located.

Hospital and / or nursing bed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein between an extension element (170,140, 150, 160) and the des

Seitengittergrundkorper (30, 40, 70) a releasable clamping or detent (47, 48) is provided.

Hospital and / or nursing bed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an extension length of an extension element (170,140, 150, 160) more than 50%, preferably more than 60% of the distance from the pivotally mounted posts (30, 70) in the position of use of Bed is.

Hospital and / or nursing bed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein acts by a combination of at least forces of a spring element (39) and the force acting on the side grid gravity force on the side rails, that from one between one of the posts (30, 70 ) and the bed frame measured opening angle (a), which is greater than 40 °, the side rails is pressed in the direction of the use position.

Hospital and / or nursing bed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side rails in the pivoting range between the use position and the non-use position has a dead center, in which the forces acting on the side rails are in balance and thereby the angular position of the side rail at an opening angle (a) is less than 30 ° +/- 10 °.

Hospital and / or nursing bed according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side rail comprises an extension element (140, 150, 160, 170), which against a the posts (30, 70) and at least one spar (40) comprehensive Seitengittergrundkorper is displaceable and serves to extend the side rail in the bed longitudinal direction, wherein the extension element (140, 150, 160, 170) is held in a side grid not extending position by a releasable holding device (57) relative to the Seitengittergrundkorper (30, 40, 70) ,

10. hospital and / or nursing bed (1) with a side rail, which at least two in each case via a lower pivot point (32,72) relative to a frame of the bed pivotally mounted post (30,70), which between at least one upright position in which the side rail is in the position of use, and a non-use position, in particular the posts (30,70) in

Aligned substantially along the bed longitudinal direction, are pivotable, and at least one spar (40) which is pivotally mounted on upper post pivot points (44,45) relative to the posts (30,70),

characterized in that

the locking or clamping an actuator (47) for unlocking or

Entklemmung the side rail comprises, wherein in the state that the side rail is in its position of use, the actuating direction (r) of the actuator (47) with the direction of movement of the opening of the side rail largely matches.

1 1. Side rails for mounting on a hospital and / or nursing bed for the formation of the

Hospital and / or nursing bed according to one of the preceding claims.